Sometimes we find ourselves in situations where we feel like running away. We want to quit and leave everything behind. Maybe there is too much pressure. Maybe you're having a hard time dealing with people. Whatever the reason, it's important to understand that running away is a choice, but it's not the only choice. We can run to the Lord instead.

When You Feel Like Running Away

We all struggle with doubts once in a while. We often feel guilty when that happens. But what if our doubts are actually stepping stones to deeper faith? The very nature of faith requires the presence of some kind of uncertainty. Our questions can lead to a deeper understanding. It can lead to more trust and hope as we step out in faith. But first, we must accept our doubts as legitimate expressions of our desire to believe.

Handling Doubts

When we are hurt physically, we know sooner or later we will be healed by God's grace. But when words hurt us, it seems to be a totally different experience. It's hard to recover from hurtful words. It affects us deeply in our hearts and we can't seem to get back to being normal again. The cruel words stay in our minds and they keep on repeating like a "last song syndrome."

Hurt By Words

Whenever we place ourselves in a situation where we can encounter God's message, it's important to have the right expectations. Sometimes people don't expect anything, so they don't get anything out of the experience. Others expect wrongly, so they do not get what they expect. But with the right expectations, our encounter with God's message can be life-transforming.

Right Expectations

One of the most difficult experiences in the Christian life is when you feel like God is absent or far away. Those who go through such experiences describe it as confusing, difficult, doubtful, depressing, etc. Those who are more experienced in the spiritual life call it the "dark night of the soul". It's a temporary experience that can result in either deeper faith or unbelief, even backsliding. Sooner or later, we will all experience this as part of God's pruning or cleansing of our character. Therefore, we must learn how to navigate a "dark night of the soul".

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